Text
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
DECEMBER 1942 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s and later B-17s, bomb El Aouina Airfield with P-38s
escorting both forces. In the Djedeida area, P-38s on a sweep attack tanks
northwest of the town. A German counterattack is launched toward Tebourba,
inflicting heavy tank losses on the BLADE Force, which, along with part of the
US 1st Armored Division, was prepared to attack Tunis on the following day.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s and B-26s bomb the El Aouina Airfield; B-17s hit the Sidi
Ahmed Airfield and Bizerte harbor; and B-25s attack AA guns near the Gabes
Airfield. P-38s provide escort and fly reconnaissance missions and sweeps,
claiming eight aircraft and one tank destroyed. The British First Army
withstands another German counterattack on Tebourba.
Headquarters 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) is established at La Senia,
Algeria upon arrival from England.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit the docks and
shipping at Bizerte harbor; radar warned the Germans of the approach of the
bombers and Bf 109s jumped the escorting P-38s shooting down three with two
more missing; two Bf 109s are shot down. DB-7s, with P-38s as escort, bomb the
El Aouina Airfield.
Spitfires and P-38s fly patrols and photographic reconnaissance over wide
areas of Northwest Africa, and carry out fighter sweeps during which several
ground targets, including the Gabes, Tunisia Airfield, are attacked.
The British First Army withdraws from Tebourba as German forces, through
continuous attacks, occupy the city during the night of 3/4 Dec.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, 20 B-24s of the 98th and 376th Bombardment Groups (Heavy), in the
first attack by the USAAF against Italy, hit the Italian fleet and docks at
Naples; hits are scored on numerous harbor installations, a railroad yard, and
three or four ships, including a battleship.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb shipping and docks at Bizerte while B-26s, with
fighter escort, attack the same target a half hour later. B-17s, F-4s and
P-38s fly reconnaissance, while other P-38s attack vehicles and troop
concentrations, mainly in the Gabes and Sfax areas.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
The 82d and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium) with B-25s transfer from Egypt to Gambut, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the docks and shipping at Tunis; B-25s hit the Sidi
Ahmed Airfield; and DB-7s follow shortly with a raid on Sidi Ahmed while
another small force of DB-7s hits Faid. Each raid is escorted by P-38s.
P-38s fly reconnaissance over wide areas of Tunisia, a B-17 photographs the
Sousse-Sfax-Gabes, Tunisia area while an F-4 flies photographic reconnaissance
over southern Sardinia
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s sent to attack shipping at Tobruk fail to locate the target
due to bad weather, but a few bombers manage to bomb Misurata and two enemy
airfields. Meanwhile, P-40s fly top cover for RAF aircraft attacking Marble
Arch.
HQ, 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and its 81st and 83d Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) with B-25s moves from Egypt to Gambut, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s, with fighter escort, bomb the bridge over the Medjerda
River at El Bathan.
P-38s and F-4s fly patrols and reconnaissance missions over parts of Algeria
and Tunisia.
In ground fighting in Tunisia, a German attack penetrates positions of the
US 1st Armored Division, which is operating with the British First Army, on the
El Guettar Mountains.
HQ, 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with B-17s and
F-4s arrives at La Senia, Algeria from England. "A" Flight has been operating
from Algeria since 18 Nov; "B" and "C" Flights remain in the US until Jan 44.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack docks and shipping at Bizerte.
Escorted DB-7s attack tanks in the Tebourba-El Bathan area where elements of
the British First Army continue to be hard pressed. Other DB-7s sent to bomb at
La Hencha and Sousse abort because of bad weather. P-38s and P-40s fly numerous
reconnaissance missions over the Sousse-Sfax-Gabes area and patrols over Oran,
Algeria while B-17s and F-4s fly photographic reconnaissance over the
Sousse-Sfax-Gabes area and the Tunis-Bizerte area.
Ground fighting subsides as German attacks in the Tebourba area decrease in
intensity.
The air echelons of the 328th and 330th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d
Bombardment Group (Heavy), based in England with B-24s, begins operating from
Tafaraoui, Algeria on TDY.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s fly fighter-bomber missions in the battle area east of El
Agheila; the American claim seven enemy aircraft shot down.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, fighters of the 31st and 52d Fighter Groups patrol in the
Oran-La Senia-Tafaraoui area. Weather prevents operations of all bomber and
fighter units in eastern Algeria.
The British First Army receives permission to withdraw from areas west of
Tebourba and east of Medjez el Bab to more favorable positions slightly to the
west from which to prepare for the move on Tunis.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s fly a fighter sweep over the El Agheila region.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, heavy rains stop most air operations in eastern Algeria and
Tunisia; a few P-38s fly reconnaissance south of Gafsa.
In Algeria, P-40s fly an intercept mission over Youks-les-Bains, damaging
one enemy aircraft.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
P-40s of the 57th Fighter Group claim one enemy aircraft destroyed.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Due to heavy rains and waterlogging of airfields, aerial activity in the
Algeria-Tunisia area practically ceases.
On the ground, Allied troops repulse another armored and infantry attack on
Medjez el Bab. During the night of 10/11 Dec, elements of the British 78
Division and the US 1st Armored Division begin a withdrawal to the Bedja area
to refit. The Americans sustain heavy loss of equipment as they withdraw.
HQ 3d Photographic Group is established at La Senia, Algeria after transfer
from England.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24s bomb the harbor and surrounding areas at Naples with good
results.
In Libya, P-40s fly several fighter-bomber missions and sweeps over the
battle area in preparation for the ground assault on El Agheila which General
Montgomery schedules for 14 Dec.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force creates five area commands covering Northwest Africa
from the west coast of Morocco to the east coast of Tunisia. From west to east
they are:
Moroccan Composite Wing (Colonel Rosenham R Beam)
Western Algerian Composite Wing (Colonel Lawrence P Hickey)
Central Algerian Composite Wing (Colonel Paul L Williams)
XII Bomber Command (Colonel Charles T Phillips)
XII Fighter Command (Brigadier General Blackburn)
In Tunisia, B-25s with fighter escort, attack the rail bridge at La Hencha
while P-38s fly sea patrol off the north coast and over the Gulf of Tunis and
reconnaissance over the Sousse region. Spitfires sweep over Medjez el Bab and
Bone.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s fly sweeps and attack ground forces in the El Agheila and
Brega area.
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under IX Bomber Command operational control,
attack the dock area at Naples.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, with P-38 escort, bomb the rail facilities and harbor
area at Tunis; B-26s on a mission to bomb at Sousse or La Hencha abort due to
very bad weather; and P-38s and P-40s fly widespread reconnaissance operations.
HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and its 16th, 17th and 35th Troop Carrier
Squadrons, which have been operating from North Africa since Nov, are
established at Blida, Algeria upon arrival from England.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, aircraft of the Western Desert Air Force, including more than 100
P-40s, fly strafing and bombing missions against ground forces which begin
withdrawing from El Agheila during the early morning. The 57th Fighter Group
claims two Bf 109s for the loss of one P-40. The British 51 Division penetrates
the eastern defenses of El Agheila.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, 15 B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit the harbor
and docks at Tunis. Over Bizerte, ten B-17s of the 301st Bombardment Group
(Heavy) bomb the harbor and docks; they are followed shortly by 19 B-24s of the
93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), which are TDY from England, which attack the
same targets. Meanwhile, six B-25s of the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) hit
the harbor area at Sousse while B-26s blast a bridge north of Sfax; P-38s
escort both missions. Other P-38s attack several targets including vehicles
north of Gabes and a schooner off Cape Dimasse.
In other action, P-38s, P-40s and Spitfires fly reconnaissance and patrols
over much of Northwest Africa and C-47s fly 17 transport missions between
various points in Northwest Africa.
The 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium)
with B-25s, moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria and flies
its first combat mission.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s continue to pound retreating German forces east of El
Agheila. The 57th Fighter Group claims one enemy aircraft destroyed. As the
British 7 Armored and 51 Infantry Divisions push west, the New Zealand 2
Division pushes southwest and rounds the enemy's right flank, then heads
northwest towards the coast to cut off their retreat.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, B-24s bomb the harbor and shipping at Bizerte while B-17s hit
similar targets at Tunis. DB-7s made two attacks on the marshaling yard at
Sfax escorted by P-38s and P-40s. P-38s attack vessels off the northern
Tunisian coast, the road between Tunis and Bizerte, a train near Kerker, trucks
near Chaaba, and El Djem, and a train near La Hencha. P-40s fly sweeps; F-4s
carry out photographic reconnaissance over areas of Tunisia; and C-47s fly 19
transport missions between various points in Northwest Africa.
The 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20s moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Youks-les-Bains, Algeria and
enters combat.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, nine B-24s of the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), opening the
Ninth Air Force offensive against Tunisian ports, hit the railroad yard, repair
shop, and roundhouse at Sfax dropping 72x500 pound bombs.
Over Libya, B-25s and P-40s strike at retreating troops and vehicles between
El Agheila and Merduma, as the New Zealand 2 Division drives to the coast in
the Merduma area to obstruct the retreating Germans.
Over Italy, Royal Air Force Liberators, operationally controlled by the IX
Bomber Command, hit Naples harbor during the night of 15/16 Dec.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over Tunisia, B-26s attack El Aouina Airfield while B-17s bomb the harbor
area and other B-17s hit the harbor at Bizerte. F-4s fly several photographic
reconnaissance missions over coastal Tunisia covering the area from Bizerte to
Gabes; fighters fly routine patrols; and C-47s carry out numerous courier and
transport missions in Northwest Africa.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s fly fighter-bomber missions and sweeps over the battle area
as the enemy, breaking into small detachments, manages to withdraw from El
Agheila positions after hard fighting and heavy losses. Meanwhile, B-25s hit
troop concentrations and transport targets.
Detachments of the 328th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d
Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Hardwick, England with B-24s, move from
Tafaraoui, Algeria to Gambut, Libya; the three squadrons, which have been in
Algeria since 7 Dec, will remain attached to the IX Bomber Command until Feb
43.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, DB-7s bomb the rail junction east of Mateur and hit the town
area of Massicault and the nearby vehicle dispersal area; P-38s attack ships
off the north coast scoring a hit on one vessel; other P-38s fly reconnaissance
mission, exchanging ineffective fire with enemy aircraft; and the 86th
Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) flies its first
mission with A-20s.
The 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group with C-47s moves
from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Casablanca, French Morocco.
The 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group establishes HQ at
Blida, Algeria upon arrival from England. The air echelon has been operating
from Maison Blanche, Algeria since 11 Nov.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, French Admiral Jean Darlan announces that French Fleet units at
Alexandria, Dakar and North African ports are joining the Allies.
In Tunisia, 36 B-17s hit the harbors and docks at Tunis and Bizerte,
claiming damage to both targets and the destruction of one vessel and three
aircraft at Tunis. DB-7s and A-20s hit military installations north and west
of Gabes Airfield and the landing ground near Sidi Tabet; B-25s and B-26s sent
on a shipping raid in the Gulf of Tunis fail to find the target; and P-38s and
Spitfires escort all bombing missions. Other P-38s on a sea mission off the
northern Tunisia coast engage German aircraft in combat, claiming one
destroyed; other P-38s and F-4 fly reconnaissance over Tunisia.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s fly reconnaissance and patrol as the British Eighth Army's
lead division, the New Zealand 2 Division, clashes with the enemy rear guards
at Nofilia.
In Tunisia, B-17s hit shipping and harbor installations at Sousse while RAF
Liberators, under the control of IX Bomber Command, follow with a raid on the
same target during the night of 18/19 Dec.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, 36 B-17s with 16 P-38s of the 1st Fighter Group as escort , hit
Bizerte harbor and shipping offshore; a direct hit is scored on one vessel. AA
and attacks by fighters result in the loss of one B-17 and four P-38s; three
enemy fights are destroyed and others damaged. B-26s with P-38 escort attack
the marshaling yard at Sousse, hitting the station, roundhouse and other
buildings, tracks, and a train; heavy AA accounts for the loss of two B-26s.
DB-7s with fighter escort hit the landing ground and dispersal area near Mateur
and attack the railroad yards in the town. P-38s and P-40s fly reconnaissance
missions and sweeps and attack ground targets, including a train north of Sfax
and trucks near Sainte-Marie-du-Zit.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Rain curtails most aerial operations. In Tunisia, A-20s and DB-7s, with
fighter escort, hit the marshaling yard at Sfax.
In Algeria, fighters fly routine patrols in the Oran area.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s sent to attack the harbor at Sousse abort the mission due
to weather; three bombers hit a wrecked vessel north of Sfax.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, operations are severely curtailed as a result of heavy rains.
C-47s maintain transport and courier service while fighter fly reconnaissance
and scramble missions.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s of the 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) abort a mission
against Sousse harbor due to weather. Six RAF Liberators, under operational
control of the IX Bomber Command, attack the harbor; results are not observed.
In Libya, light forces of the British Eighth Army overtake the enemy
rearguard at Sirte and are halted temporarily.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, weather prevents B-17s from bombing Sfax or the secondary
target, Gabes. P-40s destroy a tank and several cars and trucks with trailers
in the Kairouan area; F-4s fly three photographic reconnaissance missions over
the area between Bizerte and Gabes.
In Algeria, P-38s scramble over Youks-les-Bains and shoot down two Ju 88s
and C-47s continue transport and courier missions.
HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) and its 37th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) with B-26s is established at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the
US.
The 379th, 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment
Group (Medium) with B-25s moves from French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s of the 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and RAF Liberators
are dispatched agains the harbor at Sousse; only two bombers reach the target,
the others are forced to return to base due to weather, but a few manage to
bomb Monastir and the railroads at Mahdia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, a solid overcast prevents B-17s from bombing Bizerte or
alternate targets of Sousse and Sfax. P-40s shoot up a train in Kairouan and
destroy trucks on the Sfax-Faid road. F-4s continue reconnaissance bwteen
Bizerte and the Gabes-Medenine area.
On the ground, the British 5 Corps of the First Army renews the drive on
Tunis. 2 Coldstream Guards attack Djebel el Ahmera (Longstop Hill) northeast
of Medjez el Bab.
The 432d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-26s establishes HQ at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
The 324th Fighter Group and its 314th and 316th Fighter Squadrons with P-40s
establish HQ at El Amiriya, Egypt upon arrival from the US. The group will fly
its first combat mission on 26 Mar 43.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, total cloud cover causes B-17s, escorted by P-38s, to abort the
bombing mission against Tunis and Bizerte Airfields.
On the ground, elements of the US 1st Infantry Division, after relieving 2
Coldstream Guards on Djebel el Ahmera, are forced to withdraw by a German
counterattack.
In Algeria, Spitfires fly routine patrol over the Oran-Tafaraoui area.
The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-26s establishes HQ at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s sent to bomb Tunis abort due to weather.
In Italy, B-24s attack the harbor at Naples during the night of 23/24 Dec;
one aircraft bombs Taranto.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, French Admiral Jean Darlan is assassinated in Algiers; General
Henry Giraud becomes acting French ruler of African colonies.
In Tunisia, four P-40s attack a bridge north of Gabes.
During a conference with Lieutenant General Eisenhower, Lieutenant General
Sir Kenneth A Anderson, Commanding General British First Army, decides to cease
the attack on Tunis until after the rainy season. On the ground, British
forces retake positions on Djebel el Ahmera.
HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from French Morocco to Telergma, Algeria.
HQ 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-26s is established at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from the US. The
squadron will enter combat on 30 Dec.
HQ 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons, 82d Fighter Group with P-38s is
established at Tafaraoui, Algeria upon arrival from the UK. The squadrons will
enter combat tomorrow.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, P-40s bomb a troop concentration at Sfax while P-38s sent to
bomb a convoy off northern Tunisia fail to sight any ships.
On the ground, the Germans retake Djebel el Ahmera.
HQ 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with
F-4s moves from French Morocco to Algiers, Algeria.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s are dispatched agains Tunis harbor during the night of
26/27 Dec; three hit the primary target while two others bomb Sousse and Sfax.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, with fighter escort, hit the harbor and shipping at
Bizerte; heavy AA and fighter attacks account for two B-17s and two P-38s shot
down; P-38s claim two Fw 190s destroyed. Other B-17s, with P-40 escort, bomb
the harbor and shipping at Sfax; three enemy vessels are claimed sunk. P-38s
on reconnaissance attack locomotives and motor vehicles south of Tunis and west
of Sousse. P-40s strafe barges off Sousse, destroying one of them, and strafe
ground targets during reconnaissance over the Kairouan-Sousse-Kasserine area.
During the night of 26/27 Dec, C-47s drop a detachment of US paratroops at a
bridge north of El Djem.
HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and its 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment
Squadrons (Light) with A-20s is established at Ste-Barbe-du-Tlelat, Algeria
upon arrival from the US. The group will enter combat on 6 Jun 43.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, escorted by P-38s, bomb the shipping and dock facilities
at Sousse, damaging docks and warehouses and claiming direct hits on four
vessels while P-38s and P-40s fly several reconnaissance missions.
In Algeria, Spitfires patrol Oran and Bone.
On the ground, the British First Army repels an attack in the Medjez el Bab
area.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, during the night of 27/28 Dec and also during the day, B-24s,
including RAF Liberators under IX Bomber Command operational control, bomb the
harbor at Sousse, hitting vessels and dock installations.
On the ground, British Army patrols reach a point east of Buerat,
overlooking Wadi el Chebir, without opposition.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the dock and harbor installations at Sousse. while
P-38s fly escort; P-38s and P-40s on patrol and reconnaissance missions claim
four enemy aircraft downed in combat and several vehicles destroyed at various
points; and F-4s fly reconnaissance over the Tunis, Sousse and Sfax areas.
In Algeria, Spitfires patrol the Oran and Bone areas.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s sent to bomb Tunis harbor during the night of 29/30 Dec
find the target obscured by clouds and attack Sousse instead.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s attack Sousse docks and harbor; P-38s provide escort.
DB-7s and A-20 hit bridges at La Hencha while escorting P-40s strafe flatcars
and a locomotive at Sainte-Juliette. P-38s attack a tank depot southeast of
Pont-du-Fahs; DB-7s and A-20s follow with an attack on the same target.
P-38s and P-40s fly reconnaissance missions and patrols over wide areas of
Algeria and Tunisia.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s with P-38 escort, attack docks and the marshaling yard at
Sfax; B-25s, escorted by P-38s, follow with an attack on the same marshaling
yard. DB-7s hit a troop concentration near Gabes, this attack being followed
by an A-20 raid on the airfield. During the afternoon, more DB-7s, with P-38
and P-40 escort, hit Gabes, concentrating on the airfield. A-20s hit a fuel
dump at El Aouinet; on the return flight, escorting P-40s strafe near El
Guettar. P-40s and F-4s fly uneventful reconnaissance missions.
In Libya, P-38s fly two reconnaissance missions to Tripoli, one flight
destroying several truck on the return trip.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s, including RAF Liberators, bomb shipping and the dock area
at Sfax with good results.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, light bombers, with fighter escort, make two attacks on Sousse,
bombing the railroad yards and docks. Escorted B-17s hit the harbor area of
Sfax while B-26s, with fighter escort, hit the airfield area at Gabes and
shipping and rail bridges in the Bizerte-Tunis area. P-38s and P-40s, flying
reconnaissance, destroy several vehicles.
DECEMBER 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN
THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 100+ B-17's bomb the Turin ball bearing works and marshalling
yard; escorting P-38's battle enemy fighters without either losses or
victories; the B-17's claim 2 enemy fighters shot down; B-24's and other P-38's
are recalled because of weather; B-26's, with fighter escort, attack bridges
and railroad facilities at Aulla, Cecina, and Sestri Levante.
HQ Fifteenth Air Force and 5th Bombardment Wing transfer from Tunis, Tunisia
to Bari and Foggia, Italy, respectively.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb gun positions in the Sant' Ambrogio area; fighter-bombers,
including some Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and
South African Air Force (SAAF) aircraft, hit trucks, gun positions, and other
military targets E of Casoli, at Lanciano, near Guardiagrele, W of Mignano, W
of Minturno, and near Chieti. Several of these missions are in support of the
US Fifth and British Eighth Armies.
During the month of Dec 43, HQ XII Bomber Command transfers from Tunis,
Tunisia to Bari, Italy.
HQ 52d Fighter Group and it's 5th Fighter Squadron transfer from
Boccadifalco and Bo Rizzo, Sicily respectively to Corsica with Spitfires.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb the town area, railroad bridge
and marshalling yard at Bolzano; B-26's achieve excellent results in a raid on
a bridge S of Orvieto and the marshalling yard at Arezzo. B-17's blast
submarine pens at Marseilles, France.
HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Massicault to Bizerte,
Tunisia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's, A-20's, and RAF light bombers support ground forces in the Monte
Trocchio area, and other B-25's, A-20's, and RAF and SAAF airplanes support
ground forces near Sant' Ambrogio; more B-25's hit bridge and approaches near
Chieti; fighters strafe trucks and trains while fighter-bombers blast gun
positions along the US Fifth and British Eighth Army fronts, and hit harbors
and shipping along the Yugoslav coast at or near Omis, Drvenicki, Trogir,
Vrbnik, and Ston.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24's, with fighter escort, hit the Rome/Casale airfield in Italy; B-26's
and escorting P-38's are recalled due to weather. Other P-38's escort a supply
mission to Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force transfers its entire II Air Service Area Command with
all of its subordinate units to the Fifteenth Air Force, where it shortly
becomes the XV Air Force Service Command. This is a major step toward making
the Fifteenth a separate, self-sufficient air force.
B-25's bomb harbor and marshalling yard at Sibenik, Yugoslavia. In Italy,
fighter-bombers, along with RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) airplanes, hit tanks and
trucks in the Guardiagrele-Lanciano areas. Other fighter-bombers attack a
vessel at Sibenik, Yugoslavia and vehicles and trains N of Rome. Anzio and
Nettuno, Italy are also bombed.
The 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, transfers from Boccadifalco,
Sicily to Corsica with Spitfires.
MTO:
The Second Cairo conference, Operation SEXTANT, opens and lasts until 6 Dec.
President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston S Churchill, and
President Ismet Inonu of Turkey attend. Churchill discusses the possibility of
Turkey entering the war; the plan for the amphibious assault in the Bay of
Bengal is cancelled; A tentative timetable is set up for Pacific offensive; and
a unified Command is established in the Mediterranean effective 10 Dec.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
All missions are cancelled by bad weather.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather grounds Twelfth Air Force elements of Northwest African Tactical Air
Force (NATAF).
The 4th Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, transfers from Boccadifalco,
Sicily to Corsica with Spitfires.
MTO:
At the Cairo Conference, President Roosevelt decides on General Dwight D
Eisenhower as the Supreme Allied Commander for Operation OVERLORD, the invasion
of W Europe.
The CCS issue a directive for the organization of the Mediterranean Allied
Air Forces (MAAF) consolidating British and US forces of the Mediterranean Air
Command (MAC) and Northwest African Air Force (NAAF).
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 37th and 95th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from Djedeida, Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia with B-26's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather hampers medium bomber operations, but B-25's manage to bomb a bridge
at Pescara, Italy and marshalling yard and shipyards at Split, Yugoslavia. In
Italy, US fighter- bombers and fighters (and a number of other Allied
airplanes) hit gun positions S of Chieti, Italy, a vessel in Poljud, Yugoslavia
harbor (near Split), trains and trucks W of Aquino, bridges near Mignano and
Ladispoli, the town of Arezzo, airfields at Piombino and Aviano, and building S
of Garda Lake.
HQ Twelfth Air Force transfers from Tunisia to Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Greece, 45 B-24's bomb Eleusis Airfield while 56 B-17's hit Kalamaki
Airfield; other B-17's return to base with bombs because of a heavy overcast;
the heavy bombers and escorting P-38's claim several enemy fighters shot down;
1 B-24 is lost to flak.
The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40 and A-36 fighter- bombers bomb bridges at Ceprano and W of
Mignano; weather cancels other operations.
The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from Castelvetrano,
Sicily to Montecorvino Airfield, Italy with P-39's.
The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia,
Algeria to Corsica with P-39's.
A detachment of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, based
at Cantania, Sicily, begins operating from Gaudo Airfield, Italy with
Beaufighters.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Heavy cloud cover severely restricts operations. 1 B-26 attacks a bridge S
of Arma di Taggia, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's and A-36's bomb the harbor and town of Civitavecchia;
B-25's also attack Pescara, hitting the railroad, road, and town area; A-36's,
P-40's, and RAF DAF fighters hit a gun position W of Orsogna, the towns of
Viticuso and San Vittoria, and a bridge at Civitella Roveto.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
120+ B-24's and B-17's attack Tatoi and Eleusis airfields in Greece, and
railroad bridges near Orbetello Lake and the town of Porto Santo Stefano in
Italy. In Italy, B-26's hit Spoleto viaduct, Orte marshalling yard, and
Civitavecchia harbor; other B-26's abort the mission because of weather.
HQ 1st Fighter Group and it's 71st Fighter Squadron, transfer from Sardinia
to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
The 20th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Massicault, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb bridges, industrial targets, marshalling yard, and
town areas of Pescara, Ancona, and Aquila; A-20's hit gun emplacements and
bivouac area near Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; other A-20's, operating with RAF and
SAAF aircraft attack troop concentration and gun positions near Miplinnico;
fighter-bombers of the AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF bomb targets in support of
ground troops near Orsogna; A-36's and P-40's hit communications targets
(roads, railroads, bridges) at Avezzano, Frosinone, Viticuso, Gaeta, and Sant'
Elia Fiumerapido.
HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and it's 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron transfer from La Marsa, Tunisia to San Severo, Italy
with F-4's and F-5's.
HQ 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to
San Severo, Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
P-38's carry out weather reconnaissance over the Adriatic Sea; B-17's of the
2d and 99th Bombardment Groups (Heavy) are recalled because of weather; all
groups of the 47th (B-24) and 42d (B-26) Bombardment Wings cancel operations.
HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 429th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
transfer from Bizerte, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.
The 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, transfers from Monserrato,
Sardinia to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
The 318th and 319th Fighter Squadrons, 325th Fighter Group, transfer from
Soliman, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy with P-40's.
The 342d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
The 352d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb railway and road bridges at Giulianova, tracks at
Pescara and Teramo, and a marshalling yard and ironworks at Terni; A-20's hit
gun positions and bivouac area at Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; A-36's and P-40's
attack Orsogna and coastal targets in support of the British Eighth Army,
Avezzano marshalling yard and villages along the US Fifth Army front, troops at
San Pietro Infine and Viticuso and nearby gun positions, viaduct and railway
bridge E of Guidonia airfield, crossing at Furbara, and trains and trucks in
the Rome area. Brigadier General George H Beverley takes over as the new
Commanding General, XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional).
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb a marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria;
P-38's fly weather reconnaissance in the Sofia and Zara, Yugoslavia areas.
B-26's hit bridge approaches W and E of Ventimiglia, Italy.
The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, transfers from Monserrato,
Sardinia to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
The 96th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Massicault, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.
The 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, transfers from Soliman,
Tunisia to Foggia, Italy with P-47's.
The 353d and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group
(Heavy), transfer from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40's and A-36's attack oil tanks, warehouses, railroads, and
vessel at Civitavecchia, the town of Acquafondata, and with RAF, SAAF, and RAAF
airplanes, hit tactical targets along the British Eighth Army front, and later
strafe road traffic in the Canosa Sannita-Chieti area. Fighters also bomb a
vessel in the harbor at Split, Yugoslavia.
HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Philippeville, Algeria to
Corsica.
The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Foggia to San Severo, Italy with P-38's
and F-5's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
All operations except weather reconnaissance are cancelled or recalled
because of bad weather.
HQ 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to
Tortorella Airfield, Italy.
HQ 325th Fighter Group transfers from Soliman, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy.
The 32d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
The 414th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40's and A-36's attack Anzio, Nettuno, Viticuso, San Vittore del
Lazio, Pontecorvo, Acquafondata, the railway siding at Arce, tracks and
junction N of Ostia, and railway between Ostia and Lido di Roma. Weather causes
abandonment of B-25 operations.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Operations are limited to weather reconnaissance.
HQ 14th Fighter Group and it's 37th Fighter Squadron transfer from
Ste-Marie-du-Zit, Tunisia to Triolo Airfield, Italy with P-38's.
The 341st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather curtails operations. In Italy, B-25's bomb the road, railroad, and
landing ground at Terracina; P-40 and A-36 fighter-bombers hit trucks along
roads in the Chieti-Francavilla area and bomb the town of Itri; fighters fly
patrols and reconnaissance over the battle area.
The 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Gerbini, Sicily to Pomigliano, Italy with C-47's.
MONDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Operations are restricted to weather reconnaissance.
The 346th, 347th and 348th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 99th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfer from Oudna, Tunisia to Tortorella Airfield, Italy with
B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb an oil depot, harbor, warehouses, and railway
yard at Sibenik and Split. In Italy, P-40 and A-36 fighter-bombers attack
defended points in the Miglionico area; quays, roads, railway yard, and gun
emplacements at Terracina; and bridges at Pontecorvo and W of Isolella; town
areas and bridges at and near Atina and Acquafondsta are also hit.
The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, based at Montecorvino
Airfield, Italy with P-38's and P-39's, begins operating from Capodichino,
Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
150+ B-17's and B-24's, with fighter escorts, bomb Greece. The B-24's hit
the Tatoi air depot at Athens; the B-17's hit the Kalamaki and Eleusis air
depots at Athens and the docks and shipping at Piraeus. The heavy bombers claim
10 fighters shot down.
HQ 90th Reconnaissance Wing transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to San Severo,
Italy.
The 340th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
The 416th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Tortorella Airfield, Italy with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers hit Orte, concentrating on the marshalling yard;
light bombers attack road bridge SW of Pontecorvo in front of US Fifth Army
lines; P-40 fighter-bombers hit bridges S of Roccasecca and E of Atina; A-36's
destroy a bridge at Ceprano and bomb railroad yards, the town area, and highway
at Sora, and docks and town area of Civitavecchia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's. with P-38 and P-47 escorts, bomb marshalling yards at Bolzano, Italy
and Innsbruck, Austria. B-24's, with P-38 escort, attack Avisio, Italy viaduct.
All targets suffer considerable damage.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb the airfield at Mostar and A-36 and P-40
fighter-bombers attack vessels, vehicles, and parked aircraft N and E of the
Peljesac Peninsula, near Mostar, and at the Zemonico landing ground. In Italy,
B-25's and A-20's bomb roads at Pontecorvo and N of Frosinone; fighter-bombers
blast gun positions along the US Fifth Army front.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack a railroad bridge and tunnel at Dogna and the
railroad between Dogna and Chiusaforte; escorting P-38's strafe trains and oil
tanks between Portogruaro and Latisana; B-17's, escorted by P-38's and P-47's,
bomb the Padua marshalling yard and rail junction; rail lines, rolling stock,
and buildings are damaged extensively. .
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb shipping at Zara and the harbor and marshalling
yard at Sibenik; P-40's and P-47's hit a vessel S of Zara and strafe targets of
opportunity on the Peljesac Peninsula. In Italy, A-20's attack gun positions
near Mignano; P-40's and A-36's hit gun batteries and strongpoints along the
British Eighth Army front S and E of Chieti, gun emplacements and troop
concentrations all along the US Fifth Army front, especially NE and S of
Cassino, and also bomb Roccasecca and docks at Civitavecchia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Operations are restricted to weather reconnaissance.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20's strike an artillery concentration near Sant'Elia
Fiumerapido; All B-25 missions are abortive; A-36's and P-40 fighter-bombers
bomb positions at Monte Trocchio, Cervaro, and Cardito, and the marshalling
yard, barracks, warehouses, and docks at Nettuno and Anzio. In Yugoslavia,
P-40's and P-51's, with SAAF escort, strafe a vessel near Trpanj.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In France, B-26's bomb Var River bridges, destroying a highway bridge and
damaging a railroad bridge; other B-26's have less success against the Antheor
viaduct, although there are several near misses.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather limits operations. In Italy, P-40 fighter-bombers attack positions
in Tollo, Canosa Sannita, and Orsogna, and strafe a schooner off Trogir; A-36's
hit defended areas near Cassino and at Viticuso, a supply dump and gun
emplacement near Tenacina, and positions at Monte Trocchio.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, about 50 B-24's attack the Messerschmitt plant at Augsburg and
and about 100 B-17's hit the marshalling yard at Innsbruck. P-38's and P-47's
provide partial escort. 9 heavy bombers are lost; US aircraft claim 37
fighters shot down. In Italy, P-47's of the 325th Fighter Group, dispatched for
escort duty, miss the rendezvous with the heavy bombers and instead strafe
Ancona Airfield, truck convoys at Porto Civitsnova, a train near Senigallia,
and a vessel at Roseto degli Abruzzi; B-26's bomb the Perugia railroad
installations and marshalling yards at Castiglione della Valle and Foligno.
HQ 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 343d, 344th and 415th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Brindisi to Manduria, Italy with B-24's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb the Terni marshalling yard and the Orte marshalling
yard and airfield; A-20's attack road, bridge, and the town of Orte and hit
Cassino; P-40's bomb Orsogna, Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, and dump near Arce, and
hit shipping at Split, Trogir, and Solin, Yugoslavia. A-36's hit railroad and
harbor area at Civitavecchia, Italy.
MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCE (MAAF):
The MAAF is established, retroactive to 10 Dec 43. Commanded by Air Chief
Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder (RAF), MAAF is comprised of all Allied air elements
(RAF, USAAF, French, and other) which are operating in the Mediterranean
Theater of Operations (MTO). These elements previously were part of the
Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) and Northwest African Air Force (NAAF), which
are disbanded. US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations
(USAAFNATO) is established with General Carl Spaatz as commander, to facilitate
administration of AAF units of the Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
30+ B-24's bomb a marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria and more than 100
B-17's hit Eleusis Airfield in Greece. Heavy bombers and escorting fighters
claim 30+ fighters destroyed in combat; 9 of the escorts are lost.
HQ 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to
Cerignola, Italy.
HQ 450th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Manduria, Italy from the U.S.
The 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Brindisi to Manuria, Italy with B-24's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40's and RAF, SAAF, and RAAF fighter-bombers blast vehicles and
heavily defended areas near Chieti and Orsogna, and hit a fuel dump near
Manoppello. A-36's bomb Terracina and hit water towers, a train, and a railway
station S of Rome.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Operations are restricted to weather reconnaissance and to air-sea rescue
patrols N of Corfu Island, Greece.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Lieutenant General John K Cannon takes command. In Italy, B-25's bomb
Terracina; P-40's hit the same target and also bomb positions and munitions
factory S of Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; A-36's bomb positions, a fuel dump, and
munitions factory in the Cervaro area, and hit trains, a seaplane base, a radar
station, trucks, and other targets in the Rome-Civitavecchia area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Operations are again limited to weather reconnaissance.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Major General Paul L Williams reassumes command of the XII Troop Carrier
Command (Provisional). In Italy, P-40's and Spitfires of the Twelfth Air Force,
RAF, SAAF, and RAAF hit strong points in the Tollo-Miglianico-Chieti areas;
P-40's blast bridge, locomotives, trucks, and railroad tracks at and near
Tortoreto and Benedello; P-47's strafe targets of opportunity in the area
around Zara, Yugoslavia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-26's hit the viaduct at Antheor, France and railroad bridge and
marshalling yard at Imperia, Italy. The Ventimiglia, Italy railroad bridge is
attacked; the bridge is not hit but the overpass, tunnel, tracks. and
transformer station nearby are damaged.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
P-40's and P-47's attempt to support Yugoslav partisans resisting the German
invasion of Korcula Island off the Peljesac Peninsula, but bad weather prevents
location of targets.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 100+ B-26's dispatched to bomb the Pisa, Italy marshalling yard
fail to locate the target due to overcast. 24 B-26's bomb the marshalling yard
at Cecina.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather severely hampers operations. P-40's fail to locate the target, a
vessel at Ugljan Island, Yugoslavia, but shoot down 1 airplane in the Adriatic
Sea.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's pound the Pisa-Porta Nuova area, scoring especially
damaging hits in the marshalling yards. B-17's hit the Bolzano marshalling
yard; and B-24's hit the Pordenone marshalling yard and targets of opportunity
at Vicenza. B-17's of 2 groups fail to locate targets due to bad weather, and
many fighters ticketed for escort duty fail to rendezvous with heavy bombers in
the overcast skies.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
A-36's bomb road, trucks, and the town area at Pontecorvo, Italy. P-40's,
with a few SAAF Spitfires, hit a motor launch in Peljesac Channel of
Yugoslavia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-26's bomb marshalling yards at Prato, Empoli, and Pistoia, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather limits operations to uneventful reconnaissance flights.
The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, transfers from
Cantania, Sicily to Montecorvino, Italy with Beaufighters. A detachment is
operating from Gaudo Airfield, Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's hit viaducts at Zoagli and Recco and attack, but fail to
hit, the marshalling yard at Poggibonsi.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's attack a vessel near Zara, Yugoslavia. A-36's attack targets in
Italy, hitting a factory and railroad at Anagni, harbor and railroad facilities
at Civitavecchia, a bridge at Pontecorvo, and several gun positions and
vehicles.
A detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force, based
at Grottaglie, Italy with Beaufighters begins operating at Rerhaia, Algeria.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 100+ B-26's hit Guidonia and Centocelle Airfields and railroad
bridges N and S of Orvieto; a like number of B-17's and B-24's bomb the Rimini
marshalling yard and on the return flight, hit a bridge over the Foglia River
at Pesaro and road- railway intersection S of town; 17 B-24's dispatched to hit
the Vicenza the marshalling yard are attacked by about 50 fighters before
reaching the target; 10 of the unescorted B-24's are lost; several B-24's salvo
their bombs over the target area and, in the fierce battle, claim 18 fighters
shot down.
The 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) transfers from Grottaglie to Bari, Italy with B-17's, B-25's
and F-5's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's, A-20's, and A-36's, in coordination with Mediterranean Allied
Strategic Air Force (MASAF) heavy and medium bombers operating against targets
in the Rome area, bomb landing grounds at Ciampino, a bridge at Roccasecca and
a road and railway to the E of town, ships and harbor at Civitavecchia, and
railway sidings W of Frosinone; and P-40's hit the harbor at Anzio and
communications in the Pontecorvo and Atina areas.
The 486th and 487th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from Foggia to Pompeii, Italy with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's attack the marshalling yard and bridge at Certaldo, the
marshalling yards at Poggibonsi and the viaduct at Bucine, and a bridge in the
NW part of Orvieto; B-17's blast marshalling yards at Ferrara and Rimini.
HQ 304th and 305th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) are activated at Cerignola and
Foggia, Italy respectively.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
P-40's hit a vessel on the N side of the Peljesac Peninsula in Yugoslavia
and a railway station at Anagni, Italy. In Italy, A-36's attack the railway
station at Ferentino, harbor and railroad yard at Civitavecchia, and truck park
near Aquino.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's bomb the marshalling yards at Rimini and Padua; 2 B-17's
are lost on the the Rimini mission; The B-17's and escorting P-38's and P-47's
claim the destruction of 9 fighters during air battles in the Padua-Vicenza
area, off the coast E of Ravenna, and S of Aquila; B-26's hit the Borgo San
Lorenzo marshalling yard and viaduct, the marshalling yard at Viareggio, and a
road junction near Roccasecca.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb Zara, Yugoslavia, hitting a junction, railway station, repair
shops, warehouse, and harbor. In Italy, A-20's hit Atina; P-40's and A-36's
support ground forces, hitting targets in the Chieti-Miglianico area; vessels
are hit at Crkvice, Yugoslavia, railway sidings near Frosinone, gun positions
near Arce and W of Minturno, and the town areas of Sant' Elia Fiumerapido,
Ferentino, and Atina are bombed.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 68th Tactical Reconnaissance
Group, is attached to the Fifteenth Air Force for the purpose of flying weather
reconnaissance, a duty presently being handled by a P-38 unit called the
Fifteenth Air Force Weather Reconnaissance Detachment (and by some B-26's of 3
medium bomber groups which are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force after this
date). Personnel and equipment of the 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
and the Weather Reconnaissance Detachment are subsequently integrated, and the
unit is redesignated the 154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) on 12
May 44.
Operations are limited to weather reconnaissance.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, P-40's and Spitfires of the AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF, strike
infantry and heavy artillery around Tollo, Orsogna, Miglianico, Ripa, and
Teatina in support of the British Eighth Army. A-36's bomb the town of Formia
and hit gun positions.
DECEMBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN
THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
During Dec 44, HQ 305th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Bari to
Torremaggiore, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s attack 4 railroad bridges in the W Po Valley, damaging the
bridges at Voghera and Torre Beretti; the XXII Tactical Air Command hits motor
transport and train cars at several points in N Italy and hits rail lines over
a widespread area N of the Apennines Mountains, including the Brenner Pass
where lines are cut at 3 points; the 524th Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter
Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pontedera with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Around 500 B-17s and B-24s attack Blechhammer N and S and Odertal, Germany
oil refineries; the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna and the marshalling yard
at Strasshof, Austria; Celldomolk, Hungary marshalling yard; and Medvedov,
Czechoslovakia highway bridge, plus scattered targets of opportunity in C and E
Europe; fighters fly escort and carry out reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers hit several bridges in N and NE Italy, scoring
effective hits on 2 bridges across the Piave and Brenta Rivers and 4 on the
Brenner line; fighters and fighter- bombers attack communications in the Po
Valley and support US Fifth Army forces in the battle area S of Bologna; on the
night of 1/2 Dec, A-20s hit Ghedi Airfield and targets of opportunity in the NC
Po Valley and trains on the Brenner line; HQ 350th Fighter Group and the 347th
Fighter Squadron move from Tarquinia to Pisa with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 85 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Vienna SE freight depot, Linz
industrial area, marshalling yards at Innsbruck, Villach, and Klagenfurt, and
various targets of opportunity; P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers and fly
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. 14 B-17s and B-24s drop supplies in
Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather hampers operations; many missions are aborted; medium
bombers score effective hits only on a bridge E of Mantua; the 57th and 350th
fighter Groups fly 60 sorties against targets in the US Fifth Army battle area
S of Bologna and against communications in N Italy; during the night of 2/3
Dec, A-20s bomb lights throughout the Po Valley; the 345th Fighter Squadron,
350th Fighter Group moves from Tarquinia to Pisa with P-47s; the 522d and 523d
Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pontedera, Italy
with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
26 P-38s bomb a railroad bridge at Zenica, Yugoslavia. 14 B-17s and B-24s
drop supplies in N Italy; P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and escort
missions. Bad weather prevents heavy bomber operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s hit defenses in the Bagnaeavallo and Faenza areas and an
ammunition dump at Tortona; XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft hit targets in
the US Fifth Army battle area S of Bologna in the Apennines Mountains and
communications to the N of the battle zone. During the night of 3/4 Dec, A-20s
again bomb targets of opportunity in the Po River Valley; the 7th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Tarquinia to Brindisi with C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather again cancels heavy bomber operations. P-38s, escorted by P-51s,
fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather severely restricts operations; medium bomber missions
are cancelled except for a weather reconnaissance flight; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit a few rail lines and other communications targets in the E
Po River Valley but devote a major effort to closely support the US Fifth Army
in the battle area S of Bologna; HQ 79th Fighter Group and the 85th and 86th
Fighter Squadrons move from Iesi to Fano with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
270+ B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Graz, Austria; Szombathely,
Sopron, Nagycenk, Hegyeshalom, and the town of Zalaegerszey, Hungary; Maribor,
Yugoslavia; and Bratislava, and Devinska Nova Ves, Czechoslovakia, plus
scattered targets of opportunity; P-51s and P-38s escort the bombers, cover
Royal Air Force (RAF) supply missions to Yugoslavia, and strafe Vienna,
Austria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, heavy cloud cover, increasing in density throughout the day,
severely restricts operations; medium bombers are grounded except for 1
reconnaissance sortie; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers
fly less than 100 sorties, attacking communications in the Brescia, Verona, and
Mantua areas; the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, moves from Iesi to
Fano with P-47s; the 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group
(Light), moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grossetto with A-20s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 31 B-17s and B-24s make a predawn raids on Salzburg, Klagenfurt,
Villach, and the Lienz marshalling yards, communications targets in Wolfsberg,
Spittal an der Drau, Mittersill, and Sankt Veit in Defereggen, and Trieste,
Italy. P-38s, and P-51s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather grounds medium bombers; fighters and fighter-bombers,
despite the weather, attack railroads, roads, bridges, rolling stock, and other
targets over widespread areas of N Italy, from La Spezia to N of the Po River
Valley; bad weather obscures most primary targets but alternate targets are
fairly successfully hit.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, again hitting communications targets in a predawn attack, 24
B-17s and B-24s bomb the Moosbierbaum oil refinery and Graz, Klagenfurt, and
Villach marshalling yards. Later in the day P-38s fly photo and weather
reconnaissance missions; P-51s escort the photo reconnaissance flights over the
Vienna area, W Hungary, and N Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again greatly curtails operations; 4 P-47s on weather
reconnaissance of the W Po River Valley attack trains, claiming the destruction
of 4 locomotives and damage of almost 100 train cars. During the night of 7/8
Dec 3 A-20s bomb targets of opportunity in Po River Valley.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
170 B-17s and B-24s attack the Linz industrial area and Villach marshalling
yard in Austria, an oil refinery at Regensburg, Germany, and several armament
works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia. P-51s and P-38s escort the heavy bombers and
fly reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighters and fighter-bombers
attack communications in the C and NE Po River Valley.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
550+ B-17s and B-24s dispatched to bomb oil targets in Germany are recalled
because of overcast weather; 6 B-17s manage to bomb the Klagenfurt, Austria
marshalling yard as a target of opportunity.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers bomb bridges, fills, and a tunnel in the Brenner
Pass area, hit the Fidenza bridge and barracks at Bologna, and support the
British Eighth Army in the Faenza area, bombing defensive positions; XXII
Tactical Air Command targets are again predominantly communications N of the US
Fifth Army battle zone; the 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto with A-20s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 435 B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escorts, attack the
Moosbierbaum oil refinery, and in Vienna, the Matzleinsdorf railroad station, S
ordnance depot, and SE goods depot; alternate targets include the Kapfenberg
tank works, the town of Tulln, Parndorf Airfield, Graz marshalling yard, and
various targets of opportunity.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers hit the Motta di Livenza bridge; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit occupied areas, houses, guns, and defensive positions S of
Bologna and attack railroad targets in the C Po River Valley; during the night
of 10/11 Dec, A-20s attack vehicles, lights, railway lines, roads, river
ferries, and pontoon bridges in the Po River Valley; HQ 47th Bombardment Group
(Light) moves from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
75 B-17s and B-24s bomb Blechhammer S oil refinery, Germany;
Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia; and several targets of opportunity; around 40
P-51s and P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather cancels all except 11 weather reconnaissance sorties.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again hampers operations; the only B-25 bombing mission of
the day aborts; fighters and fighter-bombers attack mainly occupied areas and
buildings in the battle area S of Bologna, communications throughout the C Po
River Valley, and coastal defense and AA guns S of La Spezia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather cancels all operations except 1 P-38 reconnaissance mission.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers score effective hits on railroad bridges at Parma
and Chivasso; fighters and fighter-bombers attack rail lines N of the immediate
battle area and in the Po River Valley and hit guns and occupied areas on the
US Fifth Army front S of Bologna.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
330+ B-17s and B-24s attack main marshalling yards, main station, and
freight yard at Linz, marshalling yards at Amstetten, Salzburg, and Innsbruck,
Austria, and Rosenheim, Germany (all primary targets) and targets of
opportunity including the Klagenfurt and Waldhausen marshalling yard and the
town of Sankt Johann in Tirol, Austria; the Schwaz, Austria marshalling yard is
also hit (due to malfunction of instruments). 250+ P-38s and P-51s provide
escort
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s, attack ammunition dumps at Cremona, Bologna, and Pavia, a
fuel dump at Castellar Guidobono, and severely damage railway bridges S of Asti
and at Voghera; fighters and fighter-bombers again hit targets in the US Fifth
Army battle area S of Bologna and communications in the C Po River Valley and
make numerous rail cuts throughout the area (especially on the vital Brenner
Line) destroying many vehicles and train cars; several bridges are hit, 3 being
left impassable.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Almost 600 B-24s and B-17s bomb a synthetic oil plant at Brux and armament
works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia; a benzol plant at Linz and marshalling yards at
Innsbruck and Villach, Austria; plus several scattered targets of opportunity;
P-38s and P-51s escort operations to Czechoslovakia; other P-38s fly
reconnaissance missions while P-51s fly reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighter-bombers hit occupied buildings and guns in the battle zone S of
Bologna, continue attacks on the Brenner rail line effecting 16 rail cuts, hit
and set aflame 3 vessels in La Spezia drydock, and blast several railroad
bridges N of the battle area.
SUNDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
550+ B-17s and B-24s bomb oil refineries at Blechhammer N and S and Odertal,
Germany, and Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia; marshalling yards at Gross
Strehlitz, Germany, and Villach, Saak, Salzburg, and Wels, Austria. P-38s and
P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance, strafe the railroad running from
Rosenheim, Germany into Austria, and escort photo reconnaissance operations;
enemy fighters appear in force for the first time since Aug 44; the AAF claims
55 air victories.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather again cancels medium bomber operations; the XXII
Tactical Air Command hits communications in the Po River Valley and attacks the
Trento marshalling yard on the rail line running N to the Brenner Pass.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
560+ B-17s and B-24s hit oil refineries at Blechhammer N and S and Odertal,
Germany; Floridsdorf refinery at Vienna, Austria; Moravska-Ostrava,
Czechoslovakia; and Auschwitz, Poland; marshalling yards at Graz and Studenzen,
Austria, and Sopron, Hungary; the Bruck an der Mur, Austria industrial area,
and various scattered targets of opportunity; fighters fly escort and
reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again curtails operations; the XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers hit communications in the E Po River Valley,
scoring particular success against lines in the N part of the Valley in the
Padua region, and support US Fifth Army operations in the battle area S of
Bologna.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
400+ B-24s and B-17s attack Blechhammer N and S, Germany and
Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia oil refineries; Rosenheim, Germany rail
sidings and marshalling yard; marshalling yards at Strasshof, Villach,
Klagenfurt, Graz, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary; the town of
Sternberk, Czechoslovakia; and several scattered targets of opportunity; P-38s
and P-51s fly reconnaissance missions and escort the bombers.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers, unable to reach the primary targets further N,
hit communications N of the battle area but concentrate mainly on gun positions
in the La Spezia area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the fifth consecutive day, bombers hit Axis oil production; 454 B-17s
and B-24s hit the Regensburg, Germany oil refinery, marshalling yards at Linz,
Salzburg, and Villach, Austria, and armament works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia;
300+ P-38s and P-51s provide escort; 40+ others fly reconnaissance and
reconnaissance-escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, continued bad weather limits operations; medium bombers are
grounded and overcast prevents fighters and fighter-bombers to reach many
targets in the C and E Po Valley however, the Brenner rail line is cut S of
Trento and trains are successfully attacked near Padua and Treviso; armed
reconnaissance in the W Po Valley accounts for several locomotives, vehicles,
and other targets of opportunity, and railroads, bridges, and targets of
opportunity are hit in the La Spezia and Genoa areas; during the night of 19/20
Dec, A-20s attack lights at 5 locations in the E Po Valley.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
84 B-24s bomb the main marshalling yard and railroad sidings at Rosenheim,
Germany; 40 P-51s provide escort; 40+ P-38s fly photo reconnaissance and
reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 20/21 Dec, A-20s attack highways, secondary
roads, and targets of opportunity in the N and C Po Valley. During the day, bad
weather grounds the medium bombers and reduces fighter and fighter-bomber
operations of the XXII Tactical Air Command however, aircraft are effective
against railroad targets in the Treviso area and damage Ghedi Airfield; trains,
vehicles, guns, and buildings are attacked in or near Mantua, Milan, Turin, La
Spezia, Padua, and Mestre.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance, supply dropping, and
escort missions over Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 21/22 Dec, A-20s hit scattered targets in the
Po Valley; clearing weather during the day enables medium bombers to hit
bridges at Torre Beretti, Pontetidone, and at Chiari; fighter-bombers
concentrate on railway targets, destroying 5 bridges in N Italy and making
numerous cuts in rail lines, several on the important Brenner Pass line; motor
transport and guns N of the battle area are also successfully attacked.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather again limits operations to reconnaissance, supply dropping, and
escort missions over C and E Europe.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 22/23 Dec, A-20s on intruder patrols hit Po
River crossings and targets of opportunity; bad weather during the day grounds
the medium bombers; fighter- bombers operate in the W Po Valley, mainly against
railway communications; an airfield near Milan is attacked, and several enemy
airplanes destroyed.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Unfavorable weather curtails all but photo and weather reconnaissance
missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again holds operations to a minimum however, P-47s carry
out very successful raid on Thiene Airfield, causing considerable damage and
destroying several enemy airplanes; other missions find little activity and
result in the destruction of only a few trucks and trains.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
253 B-17s and B-24s hit the Brux, Czechoslovakia synthetic oil plant and
main marshaling yard at Wels, Austria; 145 others bomb marshaling yards at
Plattling and Rosswein, Germany; and in Austria, Villach, Hall, Graz, and 2 at
Innsbruck and Innsbruck AA position and rail siding; 30+ fighters escort the
Brux-Wels- Rosswein-Plattling raids; other P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance
escort and cover Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF) B-25s on a
Yugoslav supply run.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, clearing weather in the Po Valley permits fighter-bombers to
successfully cut numerous rail lines running N to the Brenner Pass, and lines
in the E Po Valley, destroying or damaging several locomotives; HQ 87th Fighter
Wing moves from Caserta to Florence.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Around 380 B-24s and B-17s bomb Odertal, and Blechhammer S, Germany, and
Auschwitz, Poland oil refineries, a railroad bridge at Ora and viaduct at
Avisio, Italy, plus scattered targets of opportunity; 26 P-38s bomb railroad
bridge at Latisana, Italy; P-38s and P-51s escort the bomber missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, good weather permits operations in force for the first time in
several days; during the night of 25/26 Dec, A-20s bomb the area between the
battleline and Bologna, attack lights, motor transport, and railroads in the Po
Valley, and hit Vicenza Airfield; during the day medium bombers concentrate on
the Brenner Pass and hit Padua, San Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Ponte di Piave,
Dolce, the Pordenone railroad bridge, and 2 dumps in the Bologna area;
fighter-bombers bomb railways, especially the Brenner line, bridges in the Po
Valley, and NE Italy, support US Fifth Army forces S of Bologna and in the
Serchio River Valley where the Germans begin a series of counterattacks, and
hit shipping at La Spezia and Genoa.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
520+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Vosendorf oil refinery, Linz ordnance depot,
marshalling yards at Wiener- Neustadt, Villach, Klagenfurt, Bruck an der Mur,
and Graz, Austria; and Maribor, Yugoslavia and Feldbach, Austria railroad
junction; Brenner rail line; Venzone viaduct, and Vipiteno and Bressanone
railroad bridges in Italy. 44 P-38s bomb bridges at Latisana and Casarsa della
Delizia, Italy. 29 P-51s strafe railroad targets between Vienna and Linz,
Austria. Other fighters fly 250+ escort sorties.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, on the night of 26/27 Dec, A-20s bomb pontoon bridges at Ficarolo,
road bridges at Ostiglia and Castel Maggiore, San Benedetto Po crossing, Turin
Airfield, and several Po Valley roads; medium bombers blast 3 Brenner area
routes leading into Austria and Yugoslavia, and bomb 2 supply dumps in the
Bologna area; fighter-bombers devote their main effort to support the US Fifth
Army in the Serchio Valley area where counterattacks are being successfully
halted; other fighter- bombers hit communications in the Po Valley and escort
medium bombers and C-47s dropping supplies to Italian partisans.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
480+ B-17s and B-24s attack Regensburg oil storage and freight yard in
Germany; marshalling yards at Zwettl, Amstetten, Kallwang, Hieflau, and
Salzburg, Austria; oil refineries at Kralupy nad Vltava, Kolin, and Pardubice
and oil storage and sidings at Roudnice nad Labem and the Nymburk railroad
bridge at Kammern, Czechoslovakia; the Brenner rail line; and Bressanone and
Venzone railroad bridges in Italy; P-38s and P-51s fly 350+ sorties in support
of the bombers.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack troop concentration at Aulla, a dump at
Mirabello Monferrato, 3 rail lines from Austria and Yugoslavia into NE Italy by
hitting bridges at Chiusaforte and Bodrez, Yugoslavia, and the viaduct at
Borovnica; XXII Tactical Air Command planes support the US Fifth Army in the
Serchio Valley, where counterattacks are repulsed, hit roads and bridges, and
destroy a number of vehicles, many at a motor transport depot near Aulla which
the fighters bomb and strafe; during the night of 27/28 Dec, A-20s bomb lights
and motor transport at almost 50 places throughout the Po Valley and Brenner
area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Almost 450 B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Innsbruck and
Salzburg, Austria; Passau, Rosenheim, and Landshut, Germany; and 2 at Verona,
Italy; the Brenner rail line, and in Italy, the Castelfranco Veneto and Udine
locomotive repair depots, and Bressanone railroad bridge. 14 P-38s bomb road a
bridge S of Rosenheim, Germany. Around 300 other P-38s and P-51s fly escort and
reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 28/29 Dec, A-20s pound motor transports, ferry
crossings, road bridges, rail line, and targets of opportunity throughout NW
and NC Po Valley; medium bombers during the day blast the Rovereto bridge and
Lavis viaduct, attack several bridges in NE Italy destroying the center span of
the bridge at Pordenone, and severely damage the bridge at Motta di Livenza;
fighter-bombers concentrate on communications targets in the extreme W end of
the battle area, with excellent results on bridges in the Massa Lombarda area
and destroy numerous vehicles and several locomotives.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers concentrate a major effort on rail line running N
to the Brenner Pass, hitting a fill at Dolce and bridges at Calliano, Ala, and
Santa Margherita d'Adige, and ammunition dump at Bologna; fighter-bombers blast
road bridges, support the US Fifth Army SE of La Spezia, and hit bridges in the
Mantua and Modena areas; during the night of 29/30 Dec, A-20s hit targets of
opportunity at numerous N Italian locations, including Ghedi Airfield, and a
train S of Mantua.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 30/31 Dec, A-20s again fly intruder missions,
bombing a variety of targets, including motor transport, bridges, and railroads
in the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers hit the bridge at Bodrez,
railroads at Piazzola Sul Brenta and near Padua, and a dump; the XXII Tactical
Air Command fighter- bombers destroy 5 and damage 2 railway bridges in the Po
Valley, cut rail lines at numerous places, destroy several locomotives, and
destroy or damage 200+ railway cars.
SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
Last Update 12/07/2011
Unpublished Photos of Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941
